Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
The largest museum in Alaska, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is a community institution with exhibits and programs on the art, history and cultures of Alaska. More than 20 exhibitions are presented each year to about 150,000 visitors. The museum also presents a full calendar of public programs and art classes.
The $106 million expansion of the Museum ushers in a new era for one of Alaska's premier visitor attractions with the completion of an 80,000-square-foot wing and renovation of the existing building.
The Museum began as a public-private partnership to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, opening its doors in 1968 with an exhibition of 60 borrowed Alaska paintings and a collection of 2,500 historic and ethnographic objects loaned from the local historical society.
First Floor - Lobby, Museum Shop, Bob and Evangeline Atwood Alaska Resource Center. Visitors may get a bite to eat in the new café with outdoor patio or browse the extensive selection of Alaska art, books, jewelry and more in the larger gift shop. The new resource center invites perusal of the museum's 400,000 historic photographs and 10,000 books.
Third Floor - Special Exhibitions. The open, flexible gallery space on the third floor will display traveling exhibitions from around the world and special exhibitions from the museum's vast collections.
Fourth Floor - Chugach Gallery with vista viewing area. From the temporary exhibitions gallery on the fourth floor, enjoy vistas of the Chugach Mountains and downtown Anchorage. Comfortable benches allow visitors a place for reflection.
Second Floor - Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center. A centerpiece of the expansion, displaying more than 600 objects from the Smithsonian's collections come to the museum on long-term loan. Visitors may learn about Alaska Native life through video, audio and interactive displays in this 8,000 square-foot gallery. The center also features the Gillam Archaeology Laboratory, an interactive database of exhibit items, visiting master artists, and ongoing research and collaboration with cultural centers and museums across Alaska.
Second Floor - Conoco Phillips Gallery, featuring contemporary Alaska Native art. The Anchorage Museum is fortunate to have one of the most extensive collections of contemporary Alaska Native art in both traditional and non-traditional styles. Featuring the work of nationally known artists, the artwork in this gallery helps shape our perception of what it means to be Native in Alaska today. The gallery's sculptures, carvings, paintings and mixed media often represent traditional values, but present them from a fresh perspective or in an unusual medium.
Imaginarium Discovery Center and the Thomas Planetarium. The planetarium and hands-on science learning areas, including a young learner's discovery gallery, will be located on the east side of the existing museum, replacing the current Children's Gallery and temporary exhibition galleries.
Two-acre Commons. A peaceful landscaped public area celebrating the environment creates an active, vibrant place for outdoor exhibits, gatherings and recreation. The Atrium at the heart of the current building will continue to provide a venue for the art, music and cultural events that make Anchorage such a vibrant community.
The Anchorage Museum is located at 121 W. 7th Avenue
WINTER HOURS
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sundays: Noon - 6 PM
Closed on Mondays
SUMMER HOURS
Open 7 days a week
9 AM - 6 PM
ADMISSION
Free to Members; Adults: $8; Seniors/Military/Students with ID: $7
Children 17 and younger: Free with a $2 suggested donation.
Groups of 20 or more: $6 per person, with free admission for tour group leader
CONTACT
907-343-6173 (recorded information) or 907-343-4326
www.AnchorageMuseum.org

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